Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said that media exchange plays a vital role in understanding the civilisation and culture of both countries. ‘Media exchange allows us to learn closely from each other. The foundation of China-Bangladesh media exchange is the life and culture of our peoples. The envoy made the remarks at a function titled Golden Silk Road Bangladesh Media Award held at the National Art Gallery of the Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka on Wednesday. He hoped that similar initiatives would continue in the future to deepen people-to-people relations and promote cultural exchange.

After 17 years and three months in exile, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday, marking one of the most significant political homecomings in recent years. A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG-202) carrying Tarique Rahman landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:45am. From the airport, Tarique Rahman travelled directly to the venue of a public reception at the July 36 Expressway—popularly known as the 300 Feet Road—in Purbachal. A personal noteAmong those returning with Tarique Rahman was his daughter’s pet cat, Jebu, which the family had kept with them throughout their years in exile. Tarique Rahman had left Bangladesh on September 11, 2008, following his release from prison during the military-backed caretaker government.

An explosion ripped through a mosque in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri and killed at least seven worshippers Wednesday, witnesses and security sources told AFP. No armed groups immediately claimed responsibility for what anti-jihadist militia leader Babakura Kolo said was a suspected bombing. “We can confirm there has been an explosion,” police spokesman Nahum Daso told AFP, adding that an explosive ordnance disposal team was already on-site. Nigeria has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2009 in a conflict that has killed at least 40,000 and displaced around two million from their homes in the northeast, according to the UN. Meanwhile, in the countryside, the insurgency continues to rage, with analysts warning of an uptick in jihadist violence this year.

The wife of Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan is being held in conditions that could pose a serious risk to her physical and mental health, a UN expert warned Wednesday. “The state has an obligation to protect Mrs Khan’s health and ensure conditions of detention compatible with human dignity,” Edwards said in a statement. “The authorities must ensure Mrs Khan has the possibility to communicate with her lawyers and receive visits from family members, and have meaningful human contact throughout her detention,” Edwards said. Earlier this month, Edwards said Khan was being held in conditions that could amount to torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment. She urged the Pakistani authorities to ensure that the 73-year-old’s conditions of detention fully complied with international norms.

A case of attempted murder dating back to July 2024 has been refiled in Bogra, naming 302 people as accused, including former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The case was lodged on Wednesday at Sadar Police Station by Md. Alif (25), son of Nur Hossain Mandal of West Brindabanpara in Bogra city, following a 16-month delay due to his medical treatment. Alif was reportedly shot in the forehead, chest, and thigh and later underwent multiple surgeries, including treatment at Dhaka CMH. Among the accused are several prominent politicians, including former MPs, Awami League leaders, and leaders of Jubo League and Chhatra League.

Journalists in Khulna on Wednesday afternoon formed a human chain protesting the attacks, vandalism and arson at the offices of the country's two leading newspapers -- Prothom Alo and The Daily Star-- and demanding an end to harassment of media workers. The programme was held in front of the Khulna Press Club in the afternoon under the banner "Working Journalists in Khulna". Addressing the programme, speakers said, "Any attack on the media causes our hearts to bleed. The assaults on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star are also attacks on the spirit of the great Liberation War and the Mass Uprising of '24'." The GD was lodged on Tuesday by Prothom Alo's Khulna correspondent Uttam Mondal.

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"The return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to his homeland as a Bangladeshi citizen and political leader represents a meaningful outcome of the democratic movement," he said. Nahid said Tarique Rahman and his family had been subjectedto state repression due to political dissent, forcing him to remain in exile for a prolonged period. Nahid expressed confidence that Tarique Rahman's return would further strengthen the practice of multi-party democracy in the country. Welcoming Tarique Rahman back to the country, Nahid expressed the hope that his participation would be constructive in shaping Bangladesh's democratic future. Meanwhile, Shafiqur Rahman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, welcomed BNP leader Tarique Rahman and extended his greetings, in a Facebook post, to Tarique and his family, writing: "Welcome to you and your family."

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed spoke to reporters at the CIP gate of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday, focusing on Tarique Rahman's return. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Dec 25, 2025 (BSS)- BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said an unforgettable event is going to take place in the country's 55-year history with the return of Tarique Rahman. He said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's return to the country is a historic and outstanding moment in the Bangladesh's democratic journey. Insha Allah, we hope that we will be able to celebrate this moment as a historical moment,” Salahuddin said. He said those who want to stop Bangladesh's democratic journey through violence and undemocratic means will be collectively resisted.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) is holding talks with the Jamaat-e-Islami to form an alliance for the February elections, according to the parties’ leaders. The Election Commission (EC) awarded the NCP the election symbol “Shapla Koli”, or water lily bud. The party has announced candidates for more than 100 seats to contest in the parliamentary polls scheduled for Feb 12. Earlier in the month, the NCP announced the formation of an alliance with the Amar Bangladesh Party and the Bangladesh Rastro Sangskar Andolan. Let’s see what happens.”Another student leader Rifat Rashid also mentioned the formation of the election alliance in a Facebook post.

According to police information and preliminary investigations, it said, the incident was not a communal attack at all. Rather, it stemmed from a violent situation arising from extortion and terrorist activities. “The government strongly condemns the killing. Law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigations over the incident, the statement read. Stating that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, the statement said any attempt to disrupt peace and stability in the country will be dealt with iron hand.

Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh after nearly one and a half decades in exile should be seen not as a personal or party achievement, but as a significant milestone in the country’s continued democratic struggle, said Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator (Southern) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), on Thursday. In a post on his verified Facebook account in the evening, Hasnat said Tarique homecoming demonstrates that a Bangladeshi citizen and political leader’s right to return to his own soil cannot be permanently denied through state repression. “No matter how powerful an autocratic system may appear, it can never permanently suppress the political will of the people,” he wrote. This reality is not one of power, but one earned through the spontaneous struggle of the people,” he said. Extending his wishes for the recovery and guidance of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Hasnat welcomed the return of Tarique Rahman to the country.

Dhaka experienced its coldest temperature of the season on Thursday, December 25, as winter grips the city and the rest of the country. In Rangpur division, temperatures dropped even further: Rangpur 11.2°C, Dinajpur 10.5°C, Thakurgaon 10.8°C, Kurigram 10.6°C, Lalmonirhat 11.5°C, Gaibandha 11°C, and Nilphamari 10.6°C. Chattogram division recorded: Comilla 14°C, Feni 14.8°C, Chandpur 14.8°C, Maijdi Court 14.8°C, Cox’s Bazar 14.5°C, Bandarban 14.8°C, and Teknaf 14°C. In Khulna division, the lowest temperatures were: Khulna 13.2°C, Jessore 13.6°C, Satkhira 13°C, Bagerhat 11.8°C, Jhenaidah 11.8°C, Kushtia 11.8°C, Magura 11.8°C, and Narail 13.5°C. Barishal division recorded: Barishal 12.8°C, Patuakhali 13.5°C, Bhola 13.5°C, Jhalokathi 13.5°C, and Pirojpur 12.5°C.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed confidence that the party will win the 2026 national election under Tarique Rahman’s leadership. He made the remarks while delivering a goodwill speech at a public reception organized for Tarique Rahman in the capital’s 300 Feet area on Thursday afternoon. Mirza Fakhrul noted that although Tarique Rahman had remained in London for the past 17 years, he continued to lead and advance the country’s democratic movement from abroad. “Following years of repression and exile, he has now returned home,” Mirza Fakhrul said, welcoming him on behalf of the people of Bangladesh. Mirza Fakhrul sought prayers from the people of the country for Tarique Rahman and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital.

Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, was celebrated across Bangladesh on Thursday with religious devotion, colourful festivities and renewed calls for peace, compassion and communal harmony. In Dhaka, the capital, the Christian community marked the public holiday with special church services, carol singing and festive gatherings. A special prayer attended by around 400 Catholic Christians was held at Saint Thomas Church in Narayantala, a border village. In Bandarban, Christmas was celebrated with religious fervour in a festive atmosphere that reflected the district’s tradition of communal harmony. Christmas was also celebrated with devotion and festivity in districts including Sherpur, Barguna, Natore, Rajshahi, Jhenaidah, Rangamati and elsewhere, underscoring Bangladesh’s enduring spirit of religious harmony and coexistence.